Settlement Costs

This Issue in United States

Settlement Costs in the Context of Mortgage Refinancings

In this context, a definition of Closing (or Settlement) Costs may be distilled, worded as follows: Fees paid when you close (or settle) on a loan. These fees may include application fees; title examination, abstract of title, title insurance, and property survey fees; fees for preparing deeds, mortgages, and settlement documents; attorneys’ fees; recording fees; estimated costs of taxes and insurance; and notary, appraisal, and credit report fees. Under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), the borrower receives a “good faith estimate” of closing costs within three days of application. The good faith estimate lists each expected cost as an amount or a range.